Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
BY GEORGE MILNE, ENGINEERING CHAIRMAN, GIBA Now that we are in the recovery phase, it is important to acknowledge the foresight, preparedness, and timely responses of Kathy Banson and the whole team at the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA) to the many challenges presented by Hurricane Milton. GIBA provides vital access to our island, and […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
Lost and shaken From as far back as I can remember, my life revolved around fishing. If I wasn’t participating, I was dreaming about it. I was consumed with fishing, and many of my first vivid memories are tied to it. Many of these memories involved my mother’s father, Guy Lewis. He was patient, understood […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Sports & Outdoors.
Last week, the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners, in a post-Hurricane Milton meeting, discussed the status of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier and the Placida Fishing Pier, both currently closed. Like Lee County’s beaches and our state parks, much of the area’s park infrastructure is closed, damaged and in need of restoration. (See story on […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Sitting in his rocking chair and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have to wait. Dr. Ken Lindow Sr. is now the interim pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande. He was born in Wisconsin, moved to Oregon, and then back to Wisconsin. He went to school in Minnesota and did his […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Fund still taking donations An island Disaster Fund set up to help local businesses and institutions recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has raised over $1.5 million in just a few weeks. “We still have a goal of $3 million,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, of Lighthouse United Methodist Church, which is administering the fund. “We […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
Restaurant missing over $100,000 in funds On Sunday, Oct. 13, Teresa J. Lessa, 50, of North Port was arrested at Bangor International Airport in Maine, after the Bangor Police Department was informed she was a passenger on an inbound plane, according to Sgt. Jason McAmbley, Public Information Officer for the Bangor Police Department. Lessa was […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church has a new Minister of Music, Dr. Glen Olsen. The audience was small but appreciative when Dr. Glen Olsen made his first visit to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. It was largely family, since hurricane preparations were occupying most people who might otherwise have given him a warm welcome. Olsen is the […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Andrew Poysell Ireland (Andy), a former U.S. Member of Congress from Florida, banking executive, and beloved community leader, passed away peacefully at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota, Florida, at age 94. Born August 23, 1930, Andy grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Ellsworth Frederick and Dorothy Poysell Ireland. He attended Cincinnati Country […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
The Beacon continues to receive calls about what is where, what will happen when, and when so-and-so will open. So much is, as they say, up in the air. Of note: • The Boca Grande Post Office is in Placida. • The Island School is in Rotonda. • First Baptist Church is at St. Andrew’s. […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
With all the destruction from the two recent hurricanes, at least two of the churches on the island are feeling blessed. There was minimal damage at both Lighthouse United Methodist Church and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. First Baptist Church took a bigger hit, with water entering the church buildings. Both the Methodist and Episcopal churches […]